Does the world owe an apology to Spiderman:TOTD?

[codeguy]

Good luck waiting for that apology, it's not going to happen. Not on SNL, not on Conan, not on Sesame Street, not on the Tony awards. However, it's sort of like the teacher to said Einstien would never amount to anything. You don't NEED the apology when you totally rock.

STOTD has been enormously successful, top-three on broadway for two years, and will earn back it's huge investment money. Most importantly, it's gaining repeat viewers. It doesn't need anything from anyone.

Now your freaking me out. no way this has been out for two years already......surely?

First preview performance was November 2010, one year and nine months ago.

[codeguy]

The only apology owed is from Bono and Edge to Mr. Mullen Jr and to Mr. Clayton for spending valuable time on a bloody musical instead of on U2.

They owe you nothing buddy....

[codeguy]

no, it hasn't.

1 year and nine months....

[So Cruel]

The only apology owed is from Bono and Edge to Mr. Mullen Jr and to Mr. Clayton for spending valuable time on a bloody musical instead of on U2.

They owe you nothing buddy....

Never said they did

[The Wanderer]

I want to thank the academy for posting my topic on Twitter.   The reason I ask is Spiderman and everyone involved was raked over the coals.   It was dubbed a complete disaster, and when it started, it looked like it would be.  But based on the $$$, I would have to say it has been pretty successful and you don't hear a word about it. 

[tigerfan41]

I think a lot of people unfairly judged it when it came out. Part of that had to do with Bono and Edge being involved (let's face it, a lot of people love to hate on U2, for whatever reason) and part of that had to do with the numerous initial problems with the play (all the injuries). Thing is, this play was a pretty ambitious attempt on their part and initially, it didn't look like that attempt would pay off. However, now that things have been ironed out, the play is getting good reviews (for the most part) and is raking in the cash.

Do people owe TOTD an apology? Maybe for judging it so quickly, but not because it's the greatest thing on Broadway. As I understand it, it's not a great play. An entertaining one, sure. And like someone else said, just 'cause something's popular, it doesn't make it good (just look at Nickelback for an example of this).

Still, I'm itching to go to NY and see TOTD. Hopefully this year or next.

[K2]

For those who are starved for anything resembling a U2 music experience, TOTD is quite rewarding. I have seen it twice and would cheerfully go again, just to hear the music - Rise Above, Bouncing off the Walls, Boy Falls From the Sky - all excellent songs.

The 2012 Tony awards made it very clear that the show will never get respect from the Broadway community (almost no nominations, and no awards). It's a judgment on the show's troubled origins and the community's taking sides with Julie Taymor.  Under other circumstances the acting, singing and unique production values would likely have been more appreciated.

(All that being said - if you go to New York - see ONCE. So Irish and SOOOO delightful!)

[Dali]

Well, wasn't the early outcry of bad rep of the musical due to people getting hurt during stunts?

Turns out U2 took their way to handle deadlines to Broadway instead of adapting to Broadway's practises. That certainly cost them, but now, they are winning it back.

[Johnny Feathers]

For those who are starved for anything resembling a U2 music experience, TOTD is quite rewarding. I have seen it twice and would cheerfully go again, just to hear the music - Rise Above, Bouncing off the Walls, Boy Falls From the Sky - all excellent songs.

The 2012 Tony awards made it very clear that the show will never get respect from the Broadway community (almost no nominations, and no awards). It's a judgment on the show's troubled origins and the community's taking sides with Julie Taymor.  Under other circumstances the acting, singing and unique production values would likely have been more appreciated.

(All that being said - if you go to New York - see ONCE. So Irish and SOOOO delightful!)

Not that I've seen it, but I'm pretty sure the musical is pretty much the Broadway equivalent to any big summer blockbuster in the movie world.  I think it would be like complaining that Transformers were snubbed at the Oscars.

[codeguy]

Agree, the musical doesn't deserve Tony awards, not because it isn't good enough, but because it isn't a serious musical. Just like the Spidey movies, for which you wouldn't expect to get Best Actor!

[hrsan]

I saw Spiderman: Turn off the Dark and I have to say it is one of the worst shows I have ever seen.    It is made to appeal to little boys the way Wicked is made to appeal to little girls.   

You want to see a great Broadway show, go see the Lion King or Jersey Boys or if you can get a ticket, go see The Book of Mormon.  Even Phantom of the Opera still packs a punch.  But the visual aspect of the show wears off really quick, if you're a fan of Spiderman then you're going to hate the characterizations and despite U2 writing the songs, they're not the ones playing them.